Illuminated telescoping cannula

Abstract

An illumination system includes an arthroscope, endoscope or other suitable surgical tool and an attachable cannula including a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise be used for the optics of the arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further includes one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula includes a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location. Thus, the sheath provides structure-guided illumination resulting in the illumination of the surgical site.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A surgical illumination system, said system comprising:
 an optical waveguide comprising:
 an optical input configured to receive light from a light source, 
 an optical output configured to output the light, 
 a sidewall extending between the optical input and the optical output, wherein the optical waveguide has a first position adjacent an upper portion of the optical waveguide, the first position having a first diameter, the light passes through the first position, the optical waveguide also having a second position adjacent a lower portion thereof, the second position having a second diameter distal to the first position with the light passing therethrough, and wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter, and 
 a bore defined by the sidewall and extending through the optical waveguide; and 
 
 a feature provided in an optical path of the optical waveguide, an apex of the feature pointing towards the optical input to spread light around a circumference of the optical waveguide, wherein the feature is configured to cause the light to spiral around the circumference of the optical waveguide as the light propagates to the optical output, 
 wherein the optical output comprises a plurality of disruption prisms at a plurality of positions in the optical waveguide, wherein each disruption prism is configured to disrupt a respective portion of the light spiraling around the circumference, and 
 wherein the optical output comprises one or more extraction structures that are each configured to output the respective portions of the light disrupted by the plurality of disruption prisms. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of optical elements disposed on the optical waveguide,
 wherein the plurality of optical elements are configured to extract the light from the optical waveguide and direct the light to a surgical field. 
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of optical elements comprise a plurality of lenses. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the optical elements are selected from the group consisting of reflectors, facets, and prisms. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of disruption prisms are vertical prisms disposed on or adjacent the lower portion. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical waveguide comprises a curved wall. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical input is angled relative to a surface of the upper portion thereby controlling an angle of circulation of light within the optical waveguide. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical waveguide is formed into a cannula having the bore extending therethrough, the bore sized to receive a surgical instrument. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical input is coupled to the optical waveguide at the first position. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical input has a square cross section. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feature is a prism integrally formed within the sidewall in an optical path of the optical waveguide, an apex of the prism pointing towards the optical input to spread light around the optical waveguide. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical output comprises a distal end of the optical waveguide configured to output a portion of the light that is not disrupted by the plurality of disruption prisms. 
     
     
       13. A surgical illumination system, said system comprising:
 an optical waveguide comprising:
 an optical input configured to receive light from a light source, 
 an optical output configured to output the light, 
 a sidewall extending between the optical input and the optical output, wherein the optical waveguide has a first position adjacent an upper portion of the optical waveguide, the first position having a first diameter wherein light passes through the first position, the optical waveguide also having a second position adjacent a lower portion thereof, the second position having a second diameter distal to the first position with the light passing therethrough, and wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter, and 
 a bore defined by the sidewall and extending through the optical waveguide, 
 wherein the optical input is coupled to a proximal-most surface of the sidewall such that the optical input is at an obtuse angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the bore defined by the sidewall; and 
 
 a plurality of optical elements disposed in or on the optical waveguide at the optical output, the plurality of optical elements configured to extract light from the optical waveguide and direct the light to a surgical field; and 
 a prism provided on or within the sidewall in an optical path of the optical waveguide and having an apex pointed toward the optical input. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the upper portion is larger than the lower portion. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13 , wherein a cross-section of the optical waveguide changes from the upper portion to the lower portion. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the optical elements are disposed on or adjacent the lower portion. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the optical elements comprise lenses. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the optical waveguide comprises a curved wall. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the optical input is angled relative to a surface of the upper portion thereby controlling an angle of circulation of light within the optical waveguide. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the optical waveguide is formed into a cannula having the bore extending therethrough, the bore sized to receive a surgical instrument. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the optical elements are selected from the group consisting of reflectors, facets, and prisms. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the optical input has a square cross section. 
     
     
       23. A surgical illumination system, said system comprising:
 an optical waveguide comprising:
 an optical input configured to receive light from a light source, 
 an optical output configured to output the light, 
 a sidewall extending between the optical input and the optical output, wherein the optical waveguide has a first position adjacent an upper portion of the optical waveguide, the first position having a first diameter wherein light passes through the first position, the optical waveguide also having a second position adjacent a lower portion thereof, the second position having a second diameter distal to the first position with the light passing therethrough, and wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter, and 
 a bore defined by the sidewall and extending through the optical waveguide, 
 wherein the optical input is coupled to a proximal-most surface of the sidewall such that the optical input is at an obtuse angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the bore defined by the sidewall; and 
 
 a prism integrally formed with the sidewall in an optical path of the optical waveguide that spreads light around the optical waveguide. 
 
     
     
       24. A surgical illumination system, said system comprising:
 an optical waveguide comprising:
 an optical input configured to receive light from a light source, 
 an optical output configured to output the light, 
 a sidewall extending between the optical input and the optical output, wherein the optical waveguide has a first position adjacent an upper portion of the optical waveguide, the first position having a first diameter wherein light passes through the first position, the optical waveguide also having a second position adjacent a lower portion thereof, the second position having a second diameter distal to the first position with the light passing therethrough, and wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter, and 
 a bore defined by the sidewall and extending through the optical waveguide, 
 
 wherein the optical input is coupled to a proximal-most surface of the sidewall such that the optical input is at an obtuse angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the bore defined by the sidewall; and 
 a feature integrally formed with the sidewall in the upper portion of the optical waveguide in an optical path of the optical waveguide that promotes divergence of light around the optical waveguide.